Lebanon on Monday celebrated its 67th anniversary of independence from France with a military parade in downtown Beirut. President Michel Suleiman, accompanied by Defense Minister Elias Murr, inspected the 70-minute parade at Shafiq Wazzan Ave. Suleiman's motorcade was greeted by a show of helicopters.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Lebanese military intelligence agent on Monday was shot dead at the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing of Masnaa. Local media identified the soldier as Corporal Youssef Youssef. State-run National News Agency said Youssef was shot at by occupants of a Mercedes-Benz that fled the scene.